House 34 Coming to Uptown by the End of May ... Maybe

If you've dined on the front porch at Belly and Trumpet recently, you've likely noticed some construction in progress on the lot just to the south. Nothing complements perfectly seared branzino and a white Burgundy like whirring saws and the staccato rapport of a pneumatic framing nailer.

The patio of the failed Patio Grill space is getting a facelift, and the inside of the restaurant is undergoing significant renovation too. Based on the tile work outside, I'd wager the facelift is going to be a significant one -- someone's putting some money into this little house on McKinney Avenue.

That someone is Sbeity Investment Inc., which is newly based in Dallas and has yet to open a restaurant here. General manager Michelle Avila says the space will serve small plates of creative American food late into the evening. They're planning on operating from 6 a.m.-3 a.m.

Yesterday, Avila gave me an opening date of May 25, but when I followed up again today she admitted construction issues could push that date out a touch. The restaurant has yet to secure a certificate of occupancy, and since this is the owner's first restaurant in Dallas they're likely in for a few setbacks.

Still, they've hired a chef. Andres Bautista, who previously worked at The Old Warsaw as a sous chef, will be manning the kitchen. We'll let you know when he fires up the ovens.